Joy and disappointment as Indigo Shire dishes out $45k

Written by by Zoe Rudder.

SOME 40 community groups throughout the Indigo Shire will share in more than $45,000 in grants as part of a major cash splash from the Indigo Shire Council.

The funds are part of the shire’s Community Grants Program and will see $47,494 received by local groups, including sporting clubs and art programs.

The biggest recipient is the Christmastown Recreation Reserve, with $4000 towards resurfacing the cricket ground.

The Barnawartha Development Association received $3000 for the provision of volunteer training and support.

Also receiving a $3000 injection was the Yackandandah Riding Club, which will use the funds towards building a verandah onto the clubrooms.

Playgroups were also winners, with the Barnawartha Playgroup receiving $2000 towards the installation of childproof fencing, and Beechworth Kindergarten receiving $2000 towards the purchase of an equipment shed.

The Chiltern playgroup had the full amount of its request for $343 for storage and a noticeboard granted, but a request for $904 for seating for the Beechworth Montessori tiny tot play group was denied.

Others to miss out on requests for funding included Beechworth Senior Citizens Croquet Club, Beechworth Lawn Tennis Club, Rutherglen Corowa Football Club, Beechworth Arts Council and the Apex Club of Rutherglen.

Indigo Shire’s new community radio station, Indigo FM, was also unsuccessful in its request for $4000 towards the purchase of equipment.

Neighbourhood Watch groups throughout the shire had more luck with groups in Beechworth, Wooragee and Kiewa all receiving funds.

It was hit and miss for the shire’s festivals with the Yackandandah Folk Festival missing out on several of the funding requests but successful in securing $1510 towards music mentoring for youth.

The Beechworth Celtic Festival missed out on its request for $2500 towards youth activities.

The allocation of requested funding was decided by the Indigo Shire Community Grants Committee and the decision to adopt their recommendations was carried unanimously by the Indigo Shire Council at their July meeting.